Mike Smith
(Screenplay and Dialogue Writer)
Mike Smith was born and raised in Virginia, USA, and has been a voracious reader, avid film fan, and compulsive scribbler since childhood. In the media world, he has worked as a news studio technician, a political columnist, and a heavy metal music journalist. AFREEN is his first feature film. Mike is also Executive Producer on the upcoming zombie horror film BLACK MAGIC RISING.
Afreen Experience
I continue to be amazed at how seamlessly Aashish’s ambitious vision for AFREEN clicked with my own from the get-go. Story development was an intensive but rewarding collaboration, and the script – in all its incarnations – was a bloody, sweaty, tearful labor of love, in which my passion fed off his, and vice versa. I couldn’t be prouder to be such an integral part of this timely and important motion picture.
Ed O’Neil (DOP)
BIO:
Cinematographer Ed O’Neil is a visual storyteller, deeply connected to the work on every level. He tells stories with passion and enthusiasm and brings ideas forward with a natural simplicity that people can connect with. Ed is also a commercial photographer and director.
Afreen Experience:
As director of photography for the film AFREEN, the challenges were high and so were the rewards. The dedication I brought to making this film was buoyed by Aashish Chanana’s unending passion to tell this story. It was this passion that motivated a small cast and crew with few tools to tell this story.
Katrina Rook-Slawski
(Art Director)
Katrina possesses an exceptionally strong sense of aesthetics and attention to details. Her expertise covers (but is not limited to) Conceptual Interior Design, Visual Direction, Staging, Set Design, Renderings, Branding, Fine Art and Photography.
Afreen Experience:
“After I read the script I knew this film won’t be about violence, but about love winning over any form of devil. I was amazed by the Director’s approach to showing as much beauty and peace as possible in the whole picture. I am glad I had an opportunity to work on such a difficult subject.”
Mikaela Colville
(Production Manager)
Coming from a documentary and television production background, working on AFREEN was a great learning experience for Mikaelaas a production manager.
Afreen Experience:
Anyone who worked on the film could see that Aashish Chanana was so passionate and driven by this project that he would work day and night to see his vision become a reality. The word “impossible” is not in Aashish’s vocabulary. Working with him on this film has taught me that if you have a dream, go after it. As I work on other projects I often reflect on the time I spent working on AFREEN and realize I can do whatever I put my mind to! Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make this great film a reality.
Meshal Abdullah
(Music Composer)
“Still traumatized by the music score of Halloween after seeing it in a dark theater as a child, Meshal has channelled that experience into creating his own unique sound of intense drama. His reputation for uncompromising musical storytelling earned him several music composer awards throughout his career. A hands-on music powerhouse with a well trained ear and a well-earned reputation for keeping audiences engaged and captivated.”
Afreen Experience
“The passing of the torch from one department to the next really added to the excitement and thrill in working on this project, and the sense of anticipation fascinated me as the story evolved from one stage to the next. In those last few years, the effort, vision, and tenacity it took to realize this film was authentic and a true personification of teem work
Scott Milton
(Stunt Coordinator )
Scott has been training and competing in different styles of martial arts since 2006.
Afreen Experience
I enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a great cast and crew on this project. This project tested my skills and I am excited to see the final project. I hope everyone enjoys all the hard work put in by all of us.